Let's talk about ...

... Angels

The "Let's talk about ... " series approaches topics as a columnist
would. Often editorial and opinionated, it is also meant to be authoritative.

No apologies are given for this style. Other parts of the site
are given for those who want to investigate, who want to hear without being
told what to think.

However, opinions are useless unless they can be substantiated. So
we aim to back up what we say. I hope what is expressed here about angels
helps you.

And when the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the
mother of James, and Salome, brought spices, that they might come and anoint
Him.

...And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right,
wearing a white robe; and they were amazed.

And he said to them, Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the
Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold,
here is the place where they laid Him.

Is todays emphasis on the presence of angellic visitors a good thing?

Matthew, Mark and Luke all record angels in relation to the discovery
of the empty tomb. Angels appear in various parts of the Bible. Indeed,
they are an active part of the creation.

Many people owe their mortal lives to the intervention by angels, while
others have been blessed by their presence. The presence of angels has
been a blessing to many others.

But not all angels are good. One-third joined Lucifer, the most glorious
of all the angels, in rebelling against God. These wanted to draw the attention
off God, and onto themselves.

In this age, which in the countdown to the end of the world as we know
it, may be close to ZERO, our Gracious Lord wants to help us to better
stand. So he sends angels to help us. But these angels share the same gentleness
and humility which Jesus shares.

Everything in the kingdom points to God the Father. And though He is
central, God is also humble. In fact, humility and gentleness are earmarks
of the life of faith.

But there are other angelic beings that draw attention to themselves.
We call these demons, for they want our worship. They rebelled, because
they didn't feel it was right for God to get all the glory.

The angels which remained true to God are not like this. They demand
that we NOT worship them. They saw what happened when the other angels
went astray, and they definitely don't want that to happen to them.

So the next time something good happens to you, don't rejoice in the
goodness of the servants that brought it about - instead, turn your thanks
to God the Father Himself. Rejoice that you are loved, and, as Jesus told
His disciples, your name is written down in the book of life.